The study tested samples from 3,000 pregnant women and is one of the first to suggest that coffee and white rice may be more contaminated than other foods. It also found a link between eating red meat and levels of PFOS, a common and harmful PFAS chemical.
The authors said the findings show how common these chemicals are and the various ways they can get into our food.
Megan Romano, a researcher from Dartmouth and the lead author, emphasized that the findings highlight the importance of protecting the environment and preventing PFAS from entering the food chain. She noted that PFAS are widespread and persistent, even with strong efforts to clean them up.
PFAS are a group of around 16,000 chemicals used in products to repel water, stains, and withstand heat. They are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down naturally and can build up in humans. These chemicals are associated with serious health issues including cancer, birth defects, liver and thyroid diseases, reduced sperm counts, and other severe health problems.
While regulators have prioritized reducing pollution in water, food is believed to be the main way people are exposed to PFAS. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, has faced criticism for allegedly not adequately safeguarding the nation's food supply. Critics argue that the FDA has modified its testing methods, potentially downplaying the presence of PFAS in tested food, despite concerns from many advocates about the levels detected.
PFAS can contaminate food through various pathways. For rice, researchers believe contamination could come from polluted soil or water used in agriculture. Non-stick cookware, which often contains these chemicals, or water used during cooking, could also be sources of contamination.
Researchers discovered that eggs from backyard chickens had higher levels of PFAS, possibly because these chickens are often fed table scraps. The soil where chickens feed may also be contaminated by PFAS-laden sewage sludge, which is sometimes used as a low-cost fertilizer. This contamination has also been found in beef. Additionally, PFAS could be present in the chickens' feed itself.
Researchers believe that PFAS contamination in coffee could come from the beans, water used during brewing, or the soil where the coffee plants grow. Previous studies have shown that coffee filters may also be treated with PFAS, and PFAS chemicals are commonly found in paper cups and other food packaging.
Seafood is often contaminated with PFAS due to widespread water pollution.
Public health advocates argue that banning PFAS chemicals except for essential purposes is necessary to tackle the problem effectively. Romano noted that the study found that diets rich in fruits, whole grains, and high dietary fiber were linked to lower levels of certain PFAS. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of having a diverse diet to avoid relying too heavily on any single source of protein.
Romano explained that this approach helps decrease exposure not only to PFAS but also to other potential contaminants that could be present in food.
SOURCE: The Guardian